Vintage and bibs...

...make for excellent fall accessories!

So lovelies, I'm sure you've noticed certain celebs and models sporting statement piece necklaces with their otherwise simple outfits (plain t-shirts, simple dresses, etc.), much like Molly Sims (see slide show).

Imparting a cool, vintage, ladylike feel to an outfit with a lovely, bold necklace is an amazing way to stand out, be comfortable and jazz up the normally-blah-but-already-bought stuff in your closet, all at the same time. We like that!

First spied during Spring 2009, the trend is in full-force this season, with so many options and price points, you're sure to find one (or many) that are perfect for your style and budget.

Some of my faves (featured above):

Urban Outfitters Studded Bib Necklace - $48

Express Beaded and Ribbon Bib Necklace - $44.50

Forever 21 Fallen Leaves Necklace - $7.80 (seriously)

Anthropologie's Thunderstorm & Ranuncula Necklaces - $48 and $42

JCPenney/MixIt Hematite and Gold Bib Necklace - $23.99

Not a necklace, but just as cool - the J.Crew Tissue Stone Necklace Tee

And, of course, Etsy.com always comes through, with handmade and true vintage styles at incredible prices...I love love love the Vintage Vanity's Elegance Necklace, Attic Fanatic's gorgeous Ooh La La Necklace and Florabond's Seriously Racy and Romantic Bib Statement Necklace.

Think flowery, sparkly, colorful, feminine and the bigger the better. Don't you just love being a girl?

Wrap me up...

...in summer-to-fall wrap cardigans! Whether you find yourself in a seasonal fashion transition (which is starting soon, sorry dearies) or just want to be prepared for ever-present temperature changes (darn air conditioners!), a flowy, feminine wrap cardigan is the perfect piece to add to your wardrobe staples.

I am a particularly big fan of the longer, slouchier, sans buttons, semi-shawl versions that can add a lovely, elegant je ne sais quoi to dresses or t-shirts while having the capability of becoming a mini-blanket in a pinch. Multi-tasking is what we're all about, right lovelies?

Look for these in a deep jewel color or in a floaty, ethereal pale hue and in whatever fabric tickles your fancy - cashmere, silk or cotton jersey, angora...as long as it looks like you didn't put any effort into your chic self, you're getting it right ;)

I promise that you won't regret throwing this on your body or into your bag for that extra layer of prettiness (and warmth) at a moment's notice.

Check out ShopStyle.com for an amazing array of ideas or my go-to website for handmade and custom styles, Etsy.com.

Some of my faves:

DKNY Luxe Knit Cozy Wrap Cardigan (this is the one you'll be seeing in all the mags)

Econica Organic Cotton/Bamboo Hoodie Wrap

Mossimo Black Long Sleeve Open Wrap Cardigan

Arden B Slub Wrap Cardigan

C&C California Stretch Pima "Agnes" Drape Cardigan

Rachel Pally Knit Wrap Cardigan

So go get wrapped up in something irresistibly cozy yet fabulously free of frumpiness!

It's Definitely Tea Time...

...when you shop at Sarah Seven!

An independent designer out of Portland, OR, Sarah makes fabulously feminine, one-of-a-kind clothing that is seriously TO DIE FOR. An inspiration to my own fledgling seamstress efforts, her work has a floaty, ethereal feel to it yet manages to have wonderful fit and structure.

I myself ordered the Tea Top (a beautiful pink silk chiffon corset top that makes me feel like a ballerina and the Crumpets Skirt (the most beautiful, ultra high-waisted wool gabardine skirt). Her custom creations fit like a glove and are so uber-flattering that you can't help but feel like a lady in them!

On top of it all, Sarah is so friendly and responsive in her online conversation that working with her is a dream.

Go visit her shop on etsy right now.
You'll be singing "I Feel Pretty" before you know it!

Corsets...for your ankles!

 Sorry I've been AWOL lately lovelies...much to do with school and work and more school. I promise I will be more timely with my posts a month from now when the craziness slows down a bit. For now, I'll leave you with this whimsical, kinda crazy-sexy-cool yet somehow still girly accessory...

Check out the EcoCorset Ankle Cuffs in brown suede by the etsy shop greenbelts!

The designer, Shannon Ritscher, is a Seattle artist and self-described high school art class flunkie turned accessory maven who finds inspiration in recycling items into one-of-a-kind, stand-out pieces.

They come in black too, for the brave. I kind of just love these, if you've got the moxy to wear them, don't you?

In the spirit of Marilyn...

A good friend of mine has quite the affinity for Marilyn Monroe memorabilia. And for good reason! Something about Marilyn just exudes sexiness, femininity, strength, allure and of course, old Hollywood glamour.

In the spirit of Marilyn and in riding the wave of the pin-up revival that has been going strong in many cities, I've recently become very interested in this retro, rockabilly, super-glam look. Think red lipstick, false eyelashes, accented waists, wiggle skirts, one-piece swimsuits...

What say you try your own hand at it? Check out these great pieces to start...

1) Ureshii Marilyn Dress

2) Kimchi Blue Skirted Retro One Piece Swimsuit

Now go be ultra-female and channel your inner Marilyn!

Raccoons are pretty...

If they own their own etsy shop and make cool, one-of-a-kind clothing!

PrettyRaccoon Clothing is an online shop based out of Toronto, Canada and featured on etsy.com whose designer makes and prints quirky, casual clothing that just has a lovely sense of fun about it. Lots of tee shirts, tube tops, scarves and hand screen printing - we love it!

I especially love the Chandelier Print Gathered Tube Top, the Deer Print Slouchy One Shoulder Top (so fitting for Wisconsin!) and the Custom Print/Color Scarf Wrap (you choose the color and/or screenprint - yeah!).

Great, wearable art that looks perfect with jeans, don't you think?

The perfect fancy clutch...

While it may not be perfect for EVERY one of your outfits, the Alexis Clutch by AO3 Designs is bound to be so for most of them. I'm picturing it with a little black dress or with a tank top, dark jeans and heels... Don't you just love how accessories are multi-purpose?

In a black and white vine trellis pattern and your choice of either apple green, light blue or hot pink liner and ribbon, it would make the ultimate chic gift for a girlfriend - or yourself!

AO3 Designs specializes in designing, customizing and producing purses, handbags, clutches and accessories by hand, one at a time, in their Minnesota studio. In addition to the super-fun, huge variety of colors and styles already listed, AO3 Designs can also customize anything you fancy. For you bride-to-be's out there, they also have a custom bridal party collection!

Check out their Etsy Store or their website to purchase one of these little pieces of fanciness. The trouble is deciding on just one...

Angel of Cool...

I first discovered Angel D'Amico when perusing Etsy.com for some interesting new finds to share with my fellow fashion junkies. Her etsy shop, AD Love, sells one-of-a-kind, hand dyed, hand screen-printed wearable works of art that are so urban-chic that you can't help but hear your own soundtrack in your head while you wear them. Plus, she prints on a lot of American Apparel basics - bonus!

D'Amico is a Chicago-based freelance illustrator and designer with a BFA in Visual Communications. She not only creates an incredibly wide range of artwork but also plays and composes music and designs/illustrates TrueStar Magazine, a magazine dedicated to keeping teens off the street with an after-school program that gives them real experience in the media field.

So, in other words, she's a pretty amazing, creative, one-woman army of cool. Find out more about her on her website.

Pssst! AD Love is having a $35 hoodie and sweatshirt sale only for January. I suggest you get your online shopping fingers tapping now...

Today's accessory obsession...

I had mentioned Baby White Elephant in an earlier post about Etsy.com. Well, although I am enamored with cuff bracelets in general, this beautiful one is made from a real orchid that has been preserved and voila! nested atop a black leather cuff.

Preserved Orchid and Carnelian Leather Cuff Bracelet by Baby White Elephant

I think the juxtaposition of the tough leather and the bright, jeweled, girly flower is great. Plus, who else will be wearing this out but you? Well, besides me...

Just $55 in a blood-orange that will add the right pop of color! Yay!

I HEART these sites...

etsy.com

If you haven't already discovered this awesome site, visit it immediately!

Etsy.com is a sweet site for handmade and custom-made accessories, clothes, gifts & so much else! It's a community of artists, crafters and others who buy and sell all things handmade. It's a friendly place and I have found some really great shops here for everything from jewelry to custom clothing.

Plus, the site has a really creative way of displaying and filtering what you're looking for. You can keep an eye on your favorite shops & favorite items. Here are just some of mine:

* sarahseven (her "Lemon Drop Dress" is pictured above)
* emilyryan
* Ureshii
* UNEARTHED
* ao3designs
* BabyWhiteElephant

Seriously, check them out.

polyvore.com
Mix and match images from anywhere on the web, to create outfits, interior designs, or any kind of collage. Browse and shop thousands of looks created by a community of stylish people.

Basically, you can enter in an article of clothing that you want to get ideas of what wear with it. It then comes up with all these "outfits" that other people have come up with, complete with links to online stores. GREAT for ideas!!

In my case, I bought a pair of gray scrunchy booties simply because they were gorgeous, but I had the classic dilemma of not having anything to wear with them :)

Really love it. Go! Now.